Day 65 – I Can Show You The World

The wind was fickle and decided it wanted to blow the smoke from our fire inside the shelter all evening. Other than that I slept fine. We slept in and woke up after 8:30 a.m. Another instant essentials, pop tart combo but this time I added a monster energy. Perhaps the best combo yet because we put up over 20 miles today.

More impressive because we didn’t get started until after 10:00. I’d say the day wasn’t exactly cruise-y, but it wasn’t not cruise-y either. Much like life, there were some ups and some downs (oof, cringe). The majority of the days hiking was along the Blue Ridge Parkway. We also found the most half-hearted trail magic we’ve seen thus far (you really shouldn’t have).

My feet felt good thanks to some doctoring (pun intended) of my shoes and insoles. My insoles had spots that had been rubbing thin. With the help of Sips extra duct tape, I was able to add some layers and durability. So far so good.

We stopped at Bobblets Gap Shelter for a break. I had ramen and long break to wish all the dads I know, the happiest of Fathers days. The ramen gave me a second wind because I trudged into that shelter feeling broken. When I left, I had a pep in my step. It might have also had to do with the ibuprofen and Tylenol I took.

For the last 5.7 miles of the day, it was a tale of two hikes. It was the best of times (for 2.2 miles), and it was the worst of times (for 3.5 miles). The pep faded and the desire to get in before dark was my only motivation. The day ended at 8:30 p.m. and 20 miles hiked.

I set up my bed inside Cove Mountain Shelter and immediately laid down. We had some pretty epic nonsense conversation. I do a thing where I try to convince people that Matthew McConaughey was the voice of Rafiki, in the Lion King (60% of the time, it works every time). It’s one of those things where it’s just obscure enough that people believe it (try it on your friends). The night culminated in us singing “A Whole New World” from the motion picture Aladdin in the voice of Gilbert Gotfried.

Tomorrow I need a resupply of toilet paper and to charge my devices. Not sure which of those takes priority however. Find out if we remedy that situation tomorrow.

Stow away in my pack for day 66 on the Appalachian Trail.

 

Dad

Wishing you the happiest of Fathers Days. Thanks for instilling in me a love for the outdoors and all things active. Thanks for always raising us to express gratitude and to think of others. I’m trying to live each day in a way that you’d be proud of. Hoping you can still get out here to join me for a stretch on the Appalachian Trail